Name: Quadcopter Build Weekend!
Start: 2017-04-01T09:30:00-05:00
End: 2017-04-01T16:30:00-05:00
Location: TheLab.ms - Plano's Makerspace

Learn to build your very own multi-rotor drone! In this class you will learn all of the tips, tools, and tricks to build, fly, and maintain your own Quadcopter. You will construct a multi-rotor from the ground up, and discover the individual functionality of drone systems and flight.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/9/c/8/6/600_456340070.jpeg

This class provides the knowledge needed to own and repair an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, including hands on flying, testing, and tutorials. Flight maneuvers and safety, also covered.

You have your choice of two quadcopters to build. You'll need to purchase the parts and bring them to TheLab.ms, and we will be there to help you through the build process.

The parts will all be available from Amazon, and a parts list for each drone will be posted shortly.

The first drone has a 450mm wingspan. It is the same drone several of us built at TheLab.ms's last drone building class. It is a large, stable quadcopter with 10" propellers. It can lift quite a bit of weight, and it would be a good base for adding a gimbaled camera.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/c/4/7/600_459095911.jpeg

The second drone is Pat's 145mm PH145 quadcopter. It is fast, agile, and it can usually survive a hard trash into concrete without taking serious damage. It is a lot of fun to fly. It is a bit fast for a beginning, but it is quite rugged.

I expect the parts list for either of these drones to be at or under $200.

You'll also need a transmitter--that's the controls you hold in your hand. We'll include a selection of recommended transmitters along with the parts list. These range anywhere from about $50 on the low end up to $250 or so.

If you want to upgrade to first-person view capabilities, it will cost around $150 for a video transmitter, camera, and goggles.

We also have drone flying events scheduled on each Saturday leading up to the build event, so come on out if you want to see what we're doing!

This is a two day class. It will run from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturday, and it will pick back up again at the same time on Sunday.

You don't have to build a quadcopter to learn or to enjoy the hobby! Pat's been enjoying his Holybro Shuriken 180 Pro FPV Racing drone. It is faster than Pat's PH145 design, and it comes with an FPV camera and a high power transmitter. With the coupon code, it doesn't cost much more than either of our do-it-yourself drones! It should be $215 after the coupon.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/6/a/3/600_459119043.jpeg

Gearbest's Shuriken 180 (sans pro!) uses smaller motors. We haven't seen one fly yet, but Pat wouldn't be surprised if it is more comparable to his PH145. If you want to buy one, let Pat know, and he'll get us a coupon code!

NOTE: You'll still need to buy a transmitter to use the Shuriken drones!

Pat's review of his Shuriken 180 Pro (http://blog.patshead.com/2017/03/holybro-shuriken-180-pro-quadcopter.html)

Shuriken 180 Pro at Gearbest.com (Use code Shuriken181) (http://gearbest.com/multi-rotor-parts/pp_597292.html?lkid=10401973)

Shuriken 180 (not pro!) at Gearbest (http://gearbest.com/multi-rotor-parts/pp_463435.html?lkid=10416185)

Flying a pre built quadcopter is fine, but I know some of you will still want to learn about how things work. There's no better way to learn to troubleshoot and repair a quadcopter than by building one!

Parts Lists:

450mm Drone:

NAZE32 Rev6 10DOF Flight Controller (http://amzn.to/2n6NF0y)

2212 920KV Brushless Motor Set (4) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HM8EXJG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1VCJ11DLIX7DF&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=2ecb338b7ca85ae93c2b68225ea7f233)

Simonk 30A ESC Set of 4 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016RJNKD6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A28JUS3SJ1A0RV&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=42a57cf5cad25c8b53e86065d135a926)

F450 RC Quadcopter Frame (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015NWNUTW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ADP2IAVIDN48D&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=94d19f784a65ffe10b3854e1bfd4c3fe)

Hausbell 9450 Self Tightening Props (3 pairs) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DMCSS6U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AD8KB6G20MIR8&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=abe4a7750b65cfe52ac9d536c37821f2)

Recommended battery for 450mm: Floureon 2200mAh 3S (2-pack) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PQKQ22Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A20H555M9MROEP&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=fc4762913860e0e5da218488face225a)

PH145 Drone:

You can read more about the PH145 quadcopter (http://blog.patshead.com/2017/02/my-3d-printed-quadcopter-the-ph145-drone.html) on Pat's blog.

PLEASE NOTE: Pat will be 3D printing the nylon frames for the PH145. The frames will cost $30, and the full $30 will be going to TheLab.ms. Printing takes time, so please make sure Pat knows you'll be needing a frame. We can't print one at the very last minute!

If the motors are less than 4000KV, you won't get as much lift. 3100KV *MIGHT* have enough lift with 3" props, but we haven't tested it. 2300KV 1306 motors might not even get off the ground at all!

8mm Steel Screws (http://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Alloy-Socket-Button-Screws/dp/B017NBZK7G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1489439866&sr=8-1&keywords=m3+8mm+screw&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=7b04208b400417af30cf40e0cfb76492)

M3 25mm Nylon Standoffs (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016EOB4RI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=c1e7336fcdba03bca12ff75b43d9c689)

NAZE32 Rev6 10DOF Flight Controller (https://www.amazon.com/Readytosky-NAZE32-Control-Nighthawk-Muticopter/dp/B01GHPHGWG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1489516214&sr=8-9&keywords=naze32&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=92a44325c32498da74ae5916f4ee9ea2)

4-in-1 20A ESC Board (https://www.amazon.com/Crazepony-30-5x30-5mm-Electronic-Controller-Multirotor/dp/B01MU7JKOK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1489517291&sr=1-5&keywords=4-in-1+esc&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=0865caf0b4e13e39ab5c7967ad4ba5da)

Four 1306 4000KV motors (EMAX or DYS have been tested)

XT60 Male Battery Connector (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012IQ7AJ2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=cad38be8998f3dc51371f846cc6129b3)

RotorX RX3040T Tri-Blade Props (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5LUWOA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=08fca8ec9154d3c547bf26bbf80e37e9)

Recommended battery for the PH145: Venom 850mAh 4S (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ISKTSL0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=9ee9a00369073fe1e01c1c2836028b6c)

If you're adventurous, Amazon also stocks a larger, faster, 1407 4100KV motors available. They cost more, are harder to find, and they might be 1 or 2 mm too tall for the frame. They'd definitely make for a faster quadcopter, but not nearly as fast as the Shuriken 180 Pro listed above!

Charging equipment and tools:

Dynamite Machined Hex Driver Set (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006O5014/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=ff81e6fb50e974eb9dcdc22da2319a9f)

iMax B6AC Dual Power LiPo Charger (https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-50Watts-Professional-Balancing-Discharger/dp/B017Y2G4Y2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1489515981&sr=1-1&keywords=imax+b6+charger&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=c1800c648ff7adc1618c4640978f2643)

XT60 Charging Cable (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XBSBYCG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A13NMH0XR7Q92S&linkCode=sl1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=59cc9e60fe114ed2160b8a5a635d4044)

Transmitters and Receivers:

The transmitter is the control unit you hold in your hands when you fly your drone. The receiver is the unit that sits on the quadcopter--you plug it into the drone's flight controller. We're including 3 options at roughly 3 different price points. You'll need to choose one. You'll probably be using this

FlySky:

FlySky hardware is very inexpensive. One member of our group uses a FlySky controller, and he likes it. If you're looking to save money, this is the way to do it. If you're not sure how far you want to go with the hobby, this might be a good place to start. FlySky hardware runs the Open Source OpenTX firmware like the Taranis transmitters.

FlySky 6-Channel Transmitter and Receiver Combo (https://www.amazon.com/FlySky-FS-i6-M2-2-4GHz-6-Channel-Transmitter/dp/B00PF160IK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1489520023&sr=8-3&keywords=flysky+transmitter&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=8bd7b920881e293b46e68ac24f6113d1)

Spektrum:

Most of us at TheLab.ms have been flying with Spektrum DX6 transmitters. Spektrum hardware is more expensive, but it is very nice hardware and it is quite user friendly.

Spektrum DX6 6-Channel Transmitter with AR610 Receiver (https://www.amazon.com/Spektrum-Transmitter-System-AR610-Receiver/dp/B01B9DYOWG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1489520691&sr=1-2&keywords=spektrum+dx6&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=8cf83d27ac7b2d82666a9d1f250b5de3)

Taranis:

The Taranis X9D with a receiver costs a little more than the Spektrum DX6, but it runs Open Source firmware, is very configurable, and it has 10 more channels. It is not as user friendly as the Spektrum DX6, but if you want to control things like gimbaled cameras, then the extra channels will come in handy!

Taranis X9D Plus 16-Channel Transmitter (https://www.amazon.com/FrSky-Taranis-16-channel-2-4ghz-Transmitter/dp/B014IYV8TK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1489520772&sr=1-1&keywords=taranis+x9d+plus&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=e4f977c34bfbf7731044032805b2c915)

Taranis X8R Receiver 16-Channel (https://www.amazon.com/FrSky-2-4G-Smart-Telemetry-Receiver/dp/B00RCAHHFM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00RCAHHFM&pd_rd_r=F6FQ011AXVEQ548RKTP5&pd_rd_w=vRQ6L&pd_rd_wg=LBWGX&psc=1&refRID=F6FQ011AXVEQ548RKTP5&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=ce68a6473ea0a7d3e7f0aae637752135)

Entry Level FPV Gear:

You don't need any FPV equipment to fly your quadcopter, and this stuff can be added to your drone at any time in the future:

Eachine 200mw Video Transmitter (https://www.amazon.com/Eachine-ET200R-200mW-Transmitter-RaceBand/dp/B019F3SZMM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1489625423&sr=8-25&keywords=fpv+transmitter&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=b182c42811a4f4e84a8c44784b092228)

FPV Camera (https://www.amazon.com/VIDEOTORG-Voltage-1000TVL-Camera-Quadcopter/dp/B01MG0LN4Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1489625619&sr=1-10&keywords=fpv+camera&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=6f6c741742bfe88258be9ba7cf5d2b97)

Eachine EV800 FPV Goggles (https://www.amazon.com/EACHINE-800x480-Goggles-Raceband-Auto-Searching/dp/B01FDGN8LI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1489625705&sr=8-1&keywords=eachine+ev800+goggles&linkCode=ll1&tag=phcthelab-20&linkId=d9ca1a7d941f65d211b11927369c0d87)

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Quadcopter Build Weekend!

TheLab.ms - Plano's Makerspace

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Quadcopter Build Weekend!

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